River trips · BUDAPEST

Budapest River Cruises: 15 Sailings to Choose From

29 sailings  ·  boarding from $14 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 budapest river cruises worth the fare, each with its price, its passengers’ verdict and the one thing to know before you board.

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance - The route, from Parliament to the bridges
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Danube River Cruises, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

1.Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Cruise the Danube from central Budapest for about 90 minutes, with illuminated Parliament, Buda Castle, bridges, and the Citadella in view. Choose a Hungarian buffet, wine and food pairing, or a gulyás and lángos option. Two welcome drinks, live folk music, traditional dancing, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and outdoor decks are included according to the selected package.

“Fabulous night, food was amazing & entertainment really good and made everyone feel a part of it. Very well organised & seeing the landmarks of Budapest all lit up on the banks of the Danube a plus. Amazing!”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise - Starting near the Basilica and Deák Ferenc tér
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, Hop-On Hop-Off River Boats, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Budapest: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise

2.Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Danube River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 3,794 reviews · from $40

Use a 1, 2, or 3-day Big Bus ticket to see Budapest from the road and river. Ride past Parliament, Buda Castle, Heroes’ Square, and the baths, then join the English walking tour through Pest. The Danube cruise adds fine views of Parliament, Chain Bridge, and the Royal Palace.

“The bus had a plastic window covering which was scratched and dirty which meant pictures were blurry, disappointing experience”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink - Your welcome drink: useful extra, not a Champagne cruise
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, Night River Cruises, River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in Budapest, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink

3.Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Night Cruise with Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,553 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30

Board a glass-topped Legenda City Cruises boat near Jane Haining rakpart for a one-hour evening ride along Budapest’s illuminated riverbanks. You’ll see Parliament, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, and Margaret Island, with a welcome drink, 30-language audio guide, Wi-Fi, and indoor or limited open-air seating.

“We had a beautiful experience, the cruise is very well organised with no waiting time at all and no queuing! Trust me the queues for the evening cruises are endless. Very clean boat and the staff are very polite!! They offer you drink of your choice and you can have a seat inside or outside on the top of the boat.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco - Boarding at Akadémia dock 2
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco

4.Danube River Cruise with Dinner and Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,471 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Spend 90 minutes aboard the historic Gróf Széchenyi paddle steamer, passing Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, and Gellért Hill. You’ll hear live Hungarian music, enjoy a welcome Prosecco or juice, and choose between table-served goulash with lángos or a self-service buffet. The boat leaves from Akadémia dock 2.

“It would be nice if we were told what buildings we were going part but otherwise it's was a very enjoyable trip.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music - What the four-course dinner is like
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music

5.Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,154 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $129

Spend 2.5 hours aboard a modern Legenda City Cruises boat, with a welcome drink, four-course dinner, and live Hungarian music. You will pass Parliament, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, Margaret Island, and Budapest’s illuminated bridges. The boat has retractable windows and glass roof sections, but there is no guided commentary.

“The food was very tasty. The wine was average but we were very limited as we only wanted a glass each, there was more option if you bought a bottle. The boat did a double loop up to the Parliament House down to a cool arena. The double loop was good because you could get photos the first time then relax and enjoy for the second loop. Would recommend.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music - Dinner on Board: Four Courses and Real Value
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Danube River Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

6.Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,770 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $133

Spend 2.5 hours cruising Budapest’s Danube after dark with a four-course adult dinner, welcome wine, beer, or champagne, and live music. The boat returns to Jane Haining rakpart 7. Expect illuminated bridges and riverside buildings, floor-to-ceiling windows, smart-casual dress, and no tour guide.

“What an experience - the whole evening was excellent, the four course dinner was lovely, very friendly staff - the scenery was amazing - would highly recommend this. Thank you”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube River City Lights Express Cruise - The Chain Bridge and the heart of Budapest
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Danube River City Lights Express Cruise

7.Danube River City Lights Express Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,608 reviews · from $14Best value

Spend about an hour on the Danube with Silverline Cruises, passing the Chain Bridge, Parliament, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, and more. You can use the free audio-guide app with your own earphones, then head outside for wide city views and night photos. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.

“Booked the BudMini Shuttle service from the airport round trip. what an excellent service that is!! The booked tickets for a cruise, really easy to do, tickets were on phone with easy directions to pick up point. Initially booked the wrong time but it was so easy to change. Fabulous App and service”

Check sailings →Read our full review

From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises - The boat ride north on the Danube
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

From Budapest: Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises

8.Full or Half Day Danube Bend Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,313 reviews · 270 - 630 minutes · from $21

Take a self-guided Danube cruise from central Budapest to Szentendre, with time for marzipan, art, Serbian Orthodox heritage, cafés, and lángos. From May to October, choose Visegrád instead for the Royal Palace, citadel, river views, and alpine bobsled track. The boat has indoor and open-air seating, but no guide or onboard commentary.

“The day trip was great, it was a very hot day but it was absolutely spectacular. we loved the small quaint town of Szentendre. All the main restaurants were packed with a long waiting time to order but we discovered a small restaurant and the food was fabulous. Some commentaries on the boat would have been great as we were first timers here in Hungary.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest Evening Cruise with Entertainment and Drink Options - Choosing the right drink package
Budapest River Cruises, Night River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest Evening Cruise with Entertainment and Drink Options

9.Budapest Evening Cruise with Entertainment and Drink Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,272 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $21

Cruise the Danube for about 90 minutes to 2 hours with live music from the Rajko Folk Orchestra. Choose a basic drink, wine tasting, beer, cocktail, or open-bar option, then watch Parliament, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Gellért Baths glow at night.

“Large boat mainly indoors.we went for drinks only package but would recommend having the meal which looked nice and then you are where entrainment is are guaranteed a seat and can also go out when you want. Good value”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: 4-Course Dinner River Cruise with Live Folk Music - A four-course dinner with Hungarian character
Budapest River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: 4-Course Dinner River Cruise with Live Folk Music

10.4-Course Dinner River Cruise with Live Folk Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,241 reviews · 2 hours · from $86

Spend two hours on the Danube with a four-course dinner, table service, a prosecco welcome drink, and live Hungarian music from the Ökrös Band. You will pass Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, and Gellért Hill while folk dancers perform onboard. The cruise leaves from Dock 6 beside the Budapest Marriott Hotel.

“Very nice cruise. The music was maybe a bit loud but entertaining. The dancing was also fun. Food of great quality.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island - Margaret Island gives the cruise a second purpose
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Budapest, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island

11.Budapest Danube Cruise with Drink, Audio Guide, Margaret Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,036 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Cruise Budapest’s Danube for about 70 minutes in a glass-enclosed boat with a beer, wine, sparkling wine, soft drink, or mineral water. Hear commentary through headphones in up to 30 languages, pass Parliament, Buda Castle, and the bridges, and choose to stop for 45 minutes on Margaret Island before returning to the city center.

“On-time, good audio guide, very clean, starts with a good welcome drink and friendly staff, would recommend this tour”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages - Starting at Akadémia Dock 2
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages

12.Danube Beat Party Cruise with DJ & Drink Packages

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,023 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $20

Join the Danube Beat Party Cruise at Akadémia Dock 2 for a 2-hour night sail aboard MS Stadt Wien. Expect a live DJ, Budapest’s lit-up landmarks, a cloakroom, photographer, and optional unlimited drinks, Casa Mexa food, and party-bus transfer to Morrisons 2. You must be 18 or older and bring photo ID.

“It was really fun, the staff was adorable and funny! The exceptional view and all the nationalities in one place was great”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide - Finding Purpleliner at Batthyány Square
Budapest River Cruises, Danube River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Budapest, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in Budapest, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide

13.Danube River Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,002 reviews · from $14

Spend one hour on the Danube aboard Purpleliner, leaving from Dock 1/B at Batthyány Square. You’ll pass Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, Central Market Hall, and more. Bring charged headphones and use the downloadable audio guide in one of six languages. Evening departures add city lights and sunset views.

“It was great , place easy to find, very informative! Amazing views. Many thanks”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Sightseeing River Cruise with Unlimited Cocktails - Finding Akadémia Dock 2 without a last-minute scramble
Budapest River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Sightseeing River Cruise with Unlimited Cocktails

14.Sightseeing River Cruise with Unlimited Cocktails

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 867 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $29

Spend 75 minutes on the Danube aboard the MS Stadt Wien, with unlimited Prosecco cocktails, beer, music, and views of Budapest’s grand riverfront. The boat passes Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, and the illuminated bridges. Arrive early at Akadémia Dock 2, since the boat leaves promptly.

“We did the river cruise with unlimited cocktails - which was as it says on the tin - no commentary just the cruise with drinks - We made our own way there There was a queue to get on the boat but there is plenty of room and we found a seat no problem - we got served at the bar with only a couple of minutes wait the boat was clean and tidy. The views were spectacular would highly recommended”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Budapest: Sip and Sail River Cruise with Unlimited Prosecco - Getting your first drink aboard MS Stadt Wien
Budapest River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Sip and Sail River Cruise with Unlimited Prosecco

15.Sip and Sail River Cruise with Unlimited Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 755 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $29

Spend 75 minutes on the Danube aboard MS Stadt Wien, with unlimited sweet, medium, or dry Prosecco, beer, and Prosecco cocktails. You will pass Parliament, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the bridges, and Gellért Hill from Akadémia Dock 2. Expect a social party boat, ambient music, and an audio guide through the Ultimate Budapest App.

“i enjoyed it a lot, the guys working there were very nice”

Check sailings →Read our full review

Newly added: Budapest River Cruises

★ 5.0Private Danube Yacht Cruise with Welcome Drink3 reviews
★ 4.6Wine & Dine Cruise on the DanubeFrom $14041 reviews
★ 4.6Budapest Super Saver: Spa, Basilica Tour, and Danube CruiseFrom $6493 reviews
★ 3.5Budapest Night Tour in Spanish and Danube Boat Ride (optional)From $143 reviews
★ 3.7Night Walking Tour with River Cruise and WineFrom $1115 reviews
★ 5.0Night Walking Tour with Danube River CruiseFrom $868 reviews
★ 3.2Day or Night River Cruise on Panoramic BoatFrom $1731 reviews
★ 4.6Castle District & Pest Driving Tour with Danube River CruiseFrom $6315 reviews

More rivers to browse

Paris Seine River CruisesDinner Cruises in ParisAmsterdam River CruisesLondon River Cruises
Scroll to Top

Explore the rivers

Pick a river, a city or a kind of boat.

Named rivers

The NileThe DouroThe DanubeThe ThamesThe Chao PhrayaThe Mekong

Kinds of sailing

Canal CruisesDinner CruisesSunset SailsNight CruisesLuxury BoatsSightseeing Boats

Paris and Istanbul

The SeineSeine DinnersThe BosphorusBosphorus DinnersBosphorus Yachts

Egypt

CairoLuxorAswanAbu SimbelNile and Balloon